29th Senate District: Same race, new challenges

By Ryan Alessi
RALESSI@HERALD-LEADER.COM

Just 24 votes separated Sen. Johnny Ray Turner from challenger Eric Shane Hamilton in the 2004 Democratic primary for Eastern Kentucky's 29th Senate District.    

Now, Hamilton is back for a rematch. And a lot has changed in four years.

Since then, Turner -- the Senate Democratic caucus leader -- was implicated in a vote-buying scandal stemming from his 2000 election. He pleaded guilty in December 2006 to a misdemeanor and served a three-month sentence under home arrest.

Hamilton, meanwhile, traded in his industrial cleaning business to become a landlord. But after buying two apartment complexes in west Lexington, he's found himself dogged by city code enforcement officials.

So the two candidates, still slightly bruised from their last contest and the events in between, meet again in the May 20 primary to be decided by Democratic voters in Floyd, Knott, Breathitt and Letcher counties.

"I think the whole dynamics of the campaign are different now," Turner said. He insists that the vote-buying saga, which lasted for six years, isn't shading the race.

"On the campaign trail, it hasn't been an issue," Turner said. People know that he pleaded "guilty to a non-willful -- and I emphasize non-willful -- misdemeanor," he said.

He prefers to talk about his status as a party leader in the Senate, which helps him direct funds to the district. But when pressed, Turner doesn't point to any particular accomplishments.

Hamilton, however, said Turner's legal problems should and will factor into voters' decision. "He's got a lot more than the guilty plea. It seems that everyone associated with the campaign has gone to jail," Hamilton said.

Hamilton also is the nephew of former Democratic state Sen. Benny Ray Bailey of Hindman. It was Bailey whom Turner defeated in 2000 -- the same campaign that landed Turner in hot water.

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Comments

[layton]

If this isnt slanted journalism I dont know what is. Comparing housing code violation to vote fraud!!! Come on LHL and Alessi, I thought you were a little more obejective. ALso, no mention of Mr. Turner's 1st campaign manager going to jail for vote fruad or his 2nd campaign manager going to jail for being the ring leader in a cocaine cartel in Floyd County. I guess that is also about the same as a speeding ticket Mr. Hamilton may have got when he was 16 according to Alessi who apparently is for any incumbant.

[Rob]

Time for Turner to go.

[honestabe]

I dont even like democrats but i will have to agree with 9:57....you are in no way comparing apples to oranges...how much unprofessional can the HL become?